Mami Emma’s Macaroni – Comfort Food at its Best

Today, I’m going to share with you one of my family and friends absolutely FAVORITE recipes. This is originally my grandmother, Mami Emma’s recipe. She is one of those amazing cooks who can look in her pantry and fridge, use what she has, and create a five star meal. Yes, she’s that good!

I’ve slightly altered this recipe to make it a bit more healthy. Don’t get me wrong–this is by no means a fat free meal. It’s more like one of those dishes that you enjoy a few times a year. BUT I promise, it’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.

Kid-friendly, company approved deliciousness.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ham steak, diced

1 link of smoked chorizo sausage, diced (you can also substitute with pepperoni)

In a medium sized pot, boil water and cook penne according to the package directions. You will want your pasta al dente as it will continue to cook a little in the oven later. When it is done, drain your pasta and set it aside.

Over medium heat, cook the diced chorizo or pepperoni in a small skillet (about 3-4 minutes). You can do this step while your pasta is still cooking. Line a few paper towels over a plate and pour the chorizo over it. You want to remove as much of the fat as possible.

In a large saute pan add butter, onions and garlic over medium heat and cook until the onions are a little soft and translucent in color. Then add the can of tomato sauce and the bay leaf. Let these flavors combine for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

While you’re waiting for the ham to cook and for all those flavors to combine, this is a good time to shred your mozzarella.

Once your sauce has simmered for a few minutes, go ahead and mix in your pasta. If you find that your pasta is sticking together from sitting out, run a little warm water over it.

Add to a greased 9×13 in. greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Yumm…..

Its cheesy goodness and flavor will have you running back for seconds or at the very least enjoying left overs the next day. Its fantastic served with a side salad and some veggies. OR you can do what we do and spoon this into a bowl, plop in front of the television, and catch up on an episode of your favorite show. Sounds like the perfect way to end the week to me!

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My name is Aimee and I'm one of the co-founders here at Fancy Little Things. I am a Christian, engaged to Lenny, the Gluten Free Dad and raising our 3 kids together on the North Carolina coast.

Fancy Little Things first launched in March 2011. With a few years of silence during some of the most difficult years of my life, I have felt God pulling my heart back to this project and I am so thankful.

I have missed being here dearly and we are excited to re-launch this blog with fresh new content in March 2019.